TWO innovative Bahraini startups, Wajba and Jaras, have been named the top winners of the 18th StartUp Bahrain Pitch Competition, a key event aimed at fostering the kingdom’s thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Held at Exhibition World Bahrain as a part of the 14th Youth City programme, the event was organised by StartUp Bahrain in partnership with the Labour Fund (Tamkeen), the Industry and Commerce Ministry, the Bahrain Economic Development Board, and the Bahrain Development Bank (BDB).
The competition showcased a diverse range of local ventures, with a panel of seasoned investors and experts serving as judges.
Wajba, a digital platform that helps food and beverage providers reduce waste by selling surplus items at a discount, secured first place. Jaras, an educational platform that uses short video clips and interactive activities to help children learn, took second.
Ghassan Esfahani, founder of Wajba, expressed his enthusiasm for the win. “Securing first place is a new milestone in our continuous journey of hard work towards achieving further growth and success,” he said.
Walaa Al Araibi from Jaras also praised the initiative, highlighting the valuable experience and new opportunities the competition provided for their team.
Two other startups who also pitched were: Unlabeled, a mobile app that enables SMEs to instantly create e-commerce websites without technical skills, and
WeFit, a fitness tech platform that connects users with gyms and trainers and enables instant booking for memberships, classes, and personal training.
The event is a cornerstone of StartUp Bahrain’s ongoing efforts to empower the local startup community. The judging panel included notable figures like Nuwa Capital Partner Stephanie Nour, AstroLabs chief executive Ronald Daher, Plus VC founder and partner Hasan Haider and Mumtalakat associate director Laith Al Khalili.
This initiative is a direct reflection of Tamkeen’s strategic priorities for 2025, which are centred on boosting the competitiveness of Bahraini professionals and supporting the growth, digitisation, and sustainability of local enterprises.
avinash@gdnmedia.bh
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